Plug valve



Jan. 21; 1936 F N BARD 2,028,181

PLUG VALVE Filed Afig. 2 9. 1931 s Sheets-Sheet 1 F. N. BARD Jan. 21, 1936.

PLUG VALVE Filed Aug. '29, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 PLUG VALVE Filed Aug. 29, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented J nni; 1936 cream 1 rwo; vsLva Francis 1v. Bard, Humanism ni. mum-u 'Walworth Patents, Inc., Boston, has, a corn tation of Massach Application August so, 1931, semi no. stem- 16 Claims. (clan-a1) This invention. relates'in general to valves, and more particularly to-valves of the rcgtary plug type, and accessories thereto, the invention incorporating improved.rneans for operating the 5 valve whichis capable of installation in new or a in existing valve structures.- v

While in the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated the valve is disclosed as of the well-known rotary plug type, it willbeunder stood that the features of this invention disclosed may be susceptible of modification, within) the termsfof the invention for adaptation to other forms of valves.

The principal objects and advantages which 1g characterize the present invention reside in the provision of an improved valve structure and a valveoperating means therefor; the provision of. an improved rotary valve structure and improved operating means therefor; the provision go of an improved valve operating mechanism, which may, as a unit, beapplied to existing forms of valves and which may be detachably associated I therewith to facilitate operation of the valve by other means in'the event of damage to the opergs ating mechanism; the provision of an improved valve structure of the character referred to wherein the valve may be repacked without the danger of the valve blowing out of the pipe line or its housing; the provision of an; improved valve 30 operating mechanism which afiords a compact power transmission means permitting larger dimehs'ion valves to be operated by hand where relatively sm all space is available and wherein the 1 application of an ordinary lever to the valve stem 35 is thus prohibited; the provision of an improved valvoperating mechanism which permits of a relatively fine degree of adjustment of the valve opening by multiplication pfthe travel of the valve operating mechanism with respect to the 40 valve; the provision of a self-contained and'compact valve operating mechanism which may be readily removed from the valve for-replacement or repair; the provision of a improved means for indicating the position of he 'valve and which 45 indicating means facilitates assembly of the operating "echanism on the valve casing; and the i provision, in combination with a rotaryplug valve,

of an improvedgearing of the planetary type for impartingmotion to the valve.

This invention further contemplates the pro-- V vision of an improved means for maintaining the "valve and its passageways at an even temperature, such means including a suitable heating 'unit for application to existing valve structure's :55 whereby aheating fluid may be circulated adiaf cent to the 'vaive for preventinsfreeaing. vof the valve in its seat or. freezing of the fluid contents passing through the pipe line at that point.

This invention also contemplates the employment of the'improved valve operating mechanism and improved heating means in conjunction with rotary-plug valves, more particularly of the type known aslubricated plug valves wherein lubril -Di; in the desired form is introduced between the surfaces of contact of the valve and its casing.

The foregoing objects and advantages and such other objects, and advantages as may appear or V be pointed out as this description proceeds, are

attained in the several structural embodiments of the invention illustrated in 'the accompanying 5- drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, incorporating lmprovementsof this invention; v

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view takenon the line 2-2 of Figure '1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view, similar to l lg ure 1, illustrating an alternative form of this invention. i g

Figure 413 a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating a still further modified form of my invention.

Referring now more parlcularly to the drawings and first to the form of the invention disclosed in Figures 1 and 2, I provide a valve housing ll 3 formed with a generally tapering valve seat H extending transversely of the fluid passageway 12, the opposite ends of said passageway termlhating inopenings bordered by flanges I 3 and I4 for facilitating installation of the valve in the 5 P pe line.

Referring to Flgu re l, the lower end of the valve seat II is closed by awall M0, the open end of the valve seat being terminated in an opening bordered by an annular flange l5. 40

The valve member I6 is generallytapering inform and provided with a transverse aperture l1 which serves to control the flow of fluid through the passageway II, the wall of the valve member stopping such flow at times. 5

The valve member seats in the valve seat II but may be displaced longitudinally thereof to admit of the. introduction 'of lubricant between the acesof contact of the valve and its seat by t e provision of a series of grooves it formed} in the ,valvemember or in the seat, its desired, these grooves being in commimication with the lubricant chamber i9, secured to thecasing ID by the provision of belts or the like 20. This lubricant chamber contains a presser screw 2| its seat andthus, as it is said, lift the valve from whereby lubricant may be forced under pressure between the surfaces of contact of the valve and its seat.

The valve is provided with a reduced extension 22 which projects beyond the flange l5, the extension 22 being furtherreduced-as indicated at 23 to form a'polygonal valve stem which serves to engage the valve operating mechanism as will hereafter appear.

A valve retaining member 24 is seated on the flange. l5 and projects annularly toward the reduced portion 22, said retaining member 24 having a laterally directed annular flange 25 which overlies a shoulder 26, formed on the larger .end

. of the flange member by virtue of formation of the reduced portion 22. The inner end of the flange 25 is normally slightly spaced from the shoulder 26 as indicated at 26a so as to permit of the longitudinal displacement of the valve hereinabove referred to.

. However, in order to prevent leakage when replacing the packing 21, which latter is interposed between the flange 25 and the adjacent surfaces of the reduced portion 22, the shoulder 26 is annularly grooved as indicated at 28 to receive a'complemental flange 29 which snugly engages one cylindrical wall of the groove and thus prevents leakage for a sufllcient time while repacking the valve. v

' The packing 21 is preferably of a resilient character so'that'it will return to proper expanded contacting relationship with the adjacent surfaces after a compression of the packing due to the lubricant lifting the valve from its seat. In order to maintain the packing under conipression, I provide a gland member 30, entering between the flange 25 and the wall 3| of the reduced portion 22. This gland is retained and adjusted in compressed "position by the provision of a plurality of cap screws 32, 32. These screws are in threaded engagement with the apertured annular flange 33 formed on a bonnet member 34, which latter is formed with a base flange 35 seating upon the valve retaining member 24. In j order to retain the valve retaining member 24 and the bonnet member 34 in proper relationship,

a plurality of bolts 36 are extended through suitably alined apertures in said elements, nuts 31 serving to retain said bolts.

It will be understood that it becomes necessary,

at times, to renew the packing 21. InI order to accomplish this purpose, it is necessary that the bonnet member 34 beremoved. However, upon removing the bolts 36, the member 24 would lift off the casing by fluid pressure in the passage-' ways l2 were it not for the provision of auxiliarybolts 38 which engage through the flange i5 into the member 24 thus retaining it in' position while the bolts 36 are removed from the bonnet member 34. By the provision of a series of said screws 32, the gland 30 may be accurately seated to engage the packing.

' The bonnet member .34 additionally performs the functions of supporting the operating valve mechanism, and forms, as it may be said, part. of the valve operating mechanism further by pro- .vision of a plurality of symmetrically spaced standards 39, 39, whose outer ends are integral with and support an annular bottom member 40. This member 40 is the bottom of the gear casing which latter is generally designated 4 Thus the bottom. 40, standards 39 and bonnet member 34 are preferably a single casting carrying the valve operating mechanism and as well the gland of indication.

adjusting screws so that in order to repack the valve it is only necessary to remove the bolts 36 whereupon the entire valve operatingunit may be lifted bodily from the casing l0.

The gear casing 4| includes the bottom member 48 and annular wall 42 having internal gear teeth 43 and a top closure member 44, all secured together by the provisionof a series of bolts 45 a prevent upward displacement of the pinion and=the hand wheel, the nut being locked by a cotter pin. a

- The pinion 5| forms the sun gear of a planetary gear mechanism including the planet gears55, 56 and 51, which latter are mounted on suitable hearing studs 58, 59 and 60 carried by the spider frame 53.-

It will be observed that the spider frame is provided with a downwardly extending portion 534: suitably recessed at 6| to receive the squared extension 23 of the valve member. The planet gears each at the outer portions of their peripheries are in mesh with the teeth 43 of the casing wall 42 which latter thus forms a ring gear, this ring gear being stationary with the base plate 40 and the cover plate 44. To form a bearing for the spiderframe 53, the base plate 40 is annularly internally shouldered as indicated at 62, and the spider, being in thegeneral form of a disc, rides on said shoulder. This arrangement also prevents the entrance of dust to-the gear casing.

It will be observed from the foregoing that upon imparting rotary motion to the hand wheel 41,

the sun gear will be'caused to impart motion to the planet gears which in turn travel around the ring gear thus carrying the spider 53 with them.

Thisv movement of the spider rotates the valve from open to closed position or vice versa. In view of the fact that this gearing is employed on large size valves (though equally wellapplicable to small valves) the ratio of movement of the hand wheel to the movement of the valve is increased thus permitting of the operation of very large valves with facility.

In order to facilitate disposition of the valve casing 4| andvbonnet member 34in, proper rela-- tionship to the valve either in original assembly or subsequently for repacking of the valve, I provide an indicator arm in engagement with the spider as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and this indicating arm is adapted to move through'approximately degrees from open to closed position between certain of the pedestals 39. Suitable indicating plates may be afiixed to the base member 48 adjacent to which the arm 65 is adapted to lie in its respective full open or full closed positions From the foregoing description it will be observed that owin'gto the skeleton structure of the bonnet member 34, pedestals 39, whereon the casing 4| is supported. access may be readily had by a wrench or other suitable tool to adjust the said screws 32 or to remove thebolts 36 when r'e-' moving the valve operating mechanism and bonnet member-34.

, tion 33 of the bonnet member 84 and by virtue of the seating of the spider niember on the shoul- I der 82, respectively. As previously referred to, the'type of valve,

herein described is often employed in localities subject to extremely low-'-temperatures,:., and in] some instances the lubricant employed in the lubrication of the valve member either becomes frozen or so stiff as to prevent or markedly hinder the operation of the valve member. To obviate this Ii provide a heating jacket generally desig-;

nated 66 in Figural, this jacket beinfi i j'lh'e form of a cap casting provided with double peripheral walls 61 and 68 which are complementfil to bottom walls it and 'Ilthus forming a ll for containing a heating fluid s'uch-asist'eam orthe like. This heating fluid' is supplied to and invention shown in same 1 betweenth'e removed from-the chamber II by tlie-provision'v of pipes I2. 1

The cup shaped casting t8 of such dimension:

that it readily receives the lower; portion Ilg of the valve housing. Inorder to insure a 'heat conducting contact and to hi: the heating unit in position, a suitable cement, 13 may be interposed between the heating unit and the end Ila of the valve housing, this cement being heat conductive so that the maximum emciency' ,ofthe heating" unit is obtained. While a metal to metal con-t tact does not actually exist in the form of'the heating unit and the valve housing. yet'highly efllcient results are obtained in the employment oi this device. a

A modification of r the formof' the heating shown in Figure 1 is illustratedl 'lgure" 3'where- .in an actual metal to contact is afforded between the heating. element and the valvehousing. The heatingeleme'nt hereis indicated attic and is provided with; chamber II for reception ofthe heating fluid orfa heating unit ofany desired kind, the dimensions of the casting no heof the valve housing. The heatinghnit 66a is retained in position in this arrangement by.. the

provision of apertured lugs I, "which extend adjacent to the housing of the valve member, these lug members being castinteg'rally with the heating unit a. Caps screws 11, 11 extend through the threadedapertures in lugs It and impinge upon the 'valve'housing thus retaining the heating element in position. In this form of y the invention anactual metal to'metal'contact is formed between the heating unit and cent portionof the valve housing.

Referring now more particularly to the altemative-form of this invention shown inFigure 4, I provide a valve body 8| having afiuid eway 8|, controlled by a rotatable tapered plug member 82 having a part 82a and engaging a tapered valve seat 83. Y The valve seat is open at both the adia ends, being closed at the one end by a closing cap are and, closed at other-Jena by the gear .box'or bonnet b forming a gland. v The valve member, at its smaller end, is'pro- 'vided with a projecting ixi'al reduced stem 80a forming, with the wall lid of the III, a stufl' ing box in whicha suitable 'compressible pack-; ing 84 is deposited. The stem is further shaped.

and reduced and projects beyond .to form a wrench square Ci. In order to compress the packing the valve body 84' the honrotatively engaging the recess II2 ing such that it snugliflts the lower end Mb,

cal extension 8' forming a gland which overlies I 3 .pet'IIb is provided with an annular or cylindri-' said packing; said bonnet havinga pluralityof The spider 82 has a squared recess I! for engagement over the wrench square I5, and also carries a'plurality of planet gears which mesh with a similar ,gear 95 on the hand wheel shaft 96 and with internal teeth 01 onthe-wall 90. The wall 30, and a cover plate Ila areheld in assembled positionby. bolts 90b passing therethr0 8hand through said flange 89. A'ha'ndwhel "is fixedly connected to shaft 96 'andretained' by a locking nut 99.

The body 80, at the larger. end of the valve seat is closed-by said plate 83a, which latter is heldin position by bolts-"II, the plate 83:: having a IOI therein, so as to.a'iford aspace below the adjacent surfaceof the valve end.

. The IIlI contains means which functions totehd to Jack the valve member relatively to its seat in response to lubricant under pressure forced intothe grooves III! by means such as that shown in Figure l the lubricant .reaching the chamber above said recess formed by the diaphragm IIMI and. the diaphragm plate =1". The diaphrag'm I04 at its outer periphery is held by the closure plate 83a and has an arcuate portion I 06 facilitating flexing thereof. The inner peripheral edge or the diaphragm is held fixedly to the 1 diaphragm plate III! by a swedging ring II". A pin'IM on the plate I05 engages the recess I I! in the closure 83a, and prevents rotation of said diaphragm plate, and thus relieves the diaphragm from any twisting or tortional. strain.

, I I 3 in a recess I I4 in the bottom of the diaphragm plate, I a compressor screw I I 5 in the closure plate r Y The diaphragm plate is connected to the valve I3 engaging said filler. and being locked in ad-.

Justed position by the nut H6. The screw II 5 has a pressure plate I I! which engages said 'resilient'flllen.

When thelubricant under pressure is in the chamber above the diaphragm I04 it tends to III, thereby permitting lubricant to reach the seating surfaces of the valve;

Owing to the valve operating gearing having -a sliding engagement with the valve stem movement of the valve longitudinally will be a lowed.

the bonnet and gland 86 keeping the valve packed and fluid tight at all times in normal operation.

. Having thus described my invention and illustrated. its use. what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1. In a valve, a body or housing, a valve mem- .ber movingtherein. avalve retaining member on the housins, a P cking for the valve adiacent'to move the diaphragm downwardly as viewed in Figure 4 due to the vertical'component of pressure established betweenthe diaphragm and the 10 said retaining member is adapted to hold the valve in the body during the repacking.

2. In a valve, a body or housing, a valve'membermoving therein, and means for moving said valve including a gearing and a casing therefor 15 connectible as a unit to said body and valve, a part of said casing forming a bonnet for the valve housing, apacking for the valve, a gland for said packingienclosed within said bonnet, and a plurality of set screws-onsaid bonnet for forcing said I gland into engagement with said packing.

3. In a valve, a housing having a valve seat, a valvemember engaging said seat and movable therein, an operating mechanism for the valve including gearing, a casing for said gearing hav- 5 ing a portion forming part of the gearing, and

w means carried by a movable part of the gearing for indicating the position of the valve.

4. In a valve, a housing having a valve seat, a valve member engaging said seat a d movable 30 therein, an operating mechanism f the valve including gearing, a casing for said gearing hav- 'ing a portion forming part of the gearin said casing being spaced from said housing, and means carried byv a-movable part of said gearin P jecting through said space for indicating the position of the valve.

5. In a valve, a housing having a valve seat, a valve member engaging said seat and movable therein, an operating mechanism for the valve 0 including gearing, a casingfor said gearing having a portion forming part of the gearing, said gearing including a spider member connected to operate the valve, said casing being spaced from said.housing, and anindicating element on said 5 spider and projecting into view in the space between said 'casing and housing. 6. In combination, a valve. including a body or housing having a valve seat, a valve member en- 50 gaging said seat and having a portion projecting beyond said housing, an operating mechanism for said valve having a. portion engaging the projecting portion of said valve member, a casing for .said operating mechanism, means for retaining the valve member against displacement'i'rom the housing, said casing having a portion-provided with means overlying said valve member retaining means-and secured'to the housing indep'end ently thereof. 60 housing having a. valve seat, a valve member engaging said seat and having a portion projecting beyond said housing, "an operating mechanism for said valve having a portion engaging the pro- 65 jecting portion of said valve member, a casing for said operating mechanism, means for retain- 7 ing the valve member against displacement from the housing, and a bonnet member on said'casing overlying-said valvemember retaining means and 7 secured to the housing independently thereof.

8., In a valve, a housing, avalve' member, movable therein, means for moving said valve member including a gearing and a casingtherefor connectible as a unit to said housing and valve 75 member, a part of said casing forming one of said packing.

'7. In combination, a valve including a body of the elements of the gearing, a packing for the valve, a bonnet member for the housing secured to-said casing and spaced-therefrom, and-a plurality of adjusting elements for saidpacking' on said bonnet-member and accessible through the space between said bonnet member and casing.

9. In a valve, a housing, a valve member, movable therein, means for moving said valve member including a gearing and a casing therefor connectible as a unit to said housing and valve member, a part of said casing forming one of the elements of the gearing, a packing for the valve, another part of said casing forming a bonnet for said housing, a retaining member for the valve member underlying said bonnet member, means to secure said retaining member to the housing independently of the bonnet, to retain the valve member when said bonnet member is removed, and means on said bonnet member for adjusting 10. In combination, a valve housinghaving a 'valve seat, a valve member engaging said seat, a packing at one end of said valve, a gland for compressing said packing tending to hold the valve member on its seat, a retaining member for said,

' preventing its displacement when-the bonnet is removed for renewing said packing.

11. In combination, a valve housing having a 'valve seat, a valve member engaging said seat,

a packing at one end of said valve, a gland for compressing said packing tending to hold the valve member on its seat, a retaining member for said valve member abutting said packing, a removable bonnet for said housing overlying said retaining member and said gland, a casing for valve operating mechanism supported by said bonnet, and valve operating mechanismin said casing-connected'to said valve member.

12. In a valve and a valveoperating mechanism therefor, a valve housing having a valve seat, a valve member engaging said seat and having a portion projecting beyond said housing, a.

bonnet for said housing provided with an annular flange overlying a portion of said valve'member, a packing for said valve, means on said flange for compressing said packing, said bonnet having a plurality of spaced pedestals extending outwardly therefrom, a gear casing supported bysaid pedestals in spaced relation to said bonnet, and

parting motion to said valve member,

.a gearing in said casing connected to and for im- 13. Ina valve and a. valve operating mechanism therefor, a valve housing having a valve seat, a valve member engaging said seat and having a portion projecting beyond said housing, a

- bonnet for said housing provided with an annular flange overlying a portion of said valve member,

a packing for said valve, means on said flange for compressing said packing; said bonnet having a plurality of spacedpedestals extending outtherefrom, a gear .casing supported by said pedestals in spacedrelation-to said bonnet, gearing in said .casing connected and for imparting 1 motion to said valve member said gear casing thereof forming part of said having a .portion gearing Y 14. In a valve and valve operating mechanism I therefor, a valve housing having a valve seat, a

" rality of spaced pedestals extending outwardly therefrom, a gear-casing supported by said pedestals in spaced relation to said bonnet, gearing in said casing including a sun gear and a plurality of planetgears, a spider for carrying said gears, and said spider forming a closure for one side of said gear casing and operatively connected to said valve member.

15. A valve structure comprising in combination, a casing having a tapered valve seat, a rotatable valve member adapted to engage said seat and detachably connectible to a member for rotating said valve member, a packing for the valve, a flange on said casing, a housing on said casing supported in-a fixed position by said flange,

means for compressing said packing without disturbing said housing, and means in said housing for imparting rotation to said valve member.

16. A valve and an operating mechanism therefor, comprising in combination, a body member having a seat, a valve member rotatable in said seat, resilient means tending to hold the valve member to its seat, means for introducing lubricant under pressure between the seating surfaces of the valve and body members for moving the valve member longitudinally in its seat, a bonnet secured to the body member and having a bearing surface, a gearing supporting member rotatable on said bearing surface, a projecting portion on 

